Clarke opts out of NSW one-day return

Michael Clarke will now target a Big Bash League contract without playing for NSW in the one-day Cup after ruling himself out of a Blues return.

Michael Clarke is set to target a Big Bash League contract without committing to any domestic limited-overs cricket after ruling himself out of a NSW return.

The former Australian captain had reportedly held discussions with Cricket NSW about a possible return to the Blues side for October's one-day Cup, but he's now ruled that out due to not wanting to sign up to four months of pre-season training.

"Michael has decided against returning to elite cricket with the NSW Blues," a Cricket NSW spokesman told News Corp Australia.

The decision also means he won't play in this summer's Sheffield Shield, but he's still a chance to turn out for one of the eight BBL teams in Australia's highly successful Twenty20 tournament.

The 35-year-old recently played in a Hong Kong Twenty20 tournament, while his return to Sydney grade cricket with Western Suburbs in February was seen as a starting point for a potential return to a higher level.

Clarke played 115 Tests for Australia and 245 one-day internationals before retiring from all forms of cricket after last year's winter Ashes series.